Page 1 of 231
THERAPIST MULTIPLE CHOICE FORMS A
& B EXAM
2026-2027 ACADEMIC YEAR | 260+
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
itsjereguides
# SECTION 1: PATIENT ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
## Questions 1-40
### Question 1
A respiratory therapist is assessing a patient who presents with a productive cough, fever, and
crackles in the right lower lobe. Which of the following should the therapist recommend as the
next diagnostic step?
A) Bronchoscopy with biopsy
B) Chest radiograph (CXR)
C) Pulmonary function test (PFT)
D) Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan
**Correct Answer: B) Chest radiograph (CXR)**
**Rationale:** The patient's symptoms (productive cough, fever, crackles) suggest possible
pneumonia. A chest radiograph is the most appropriate initial diagnostic step to identify
infiltrates, consolidation, or other abnormalities characteristic of pneumonia . CXR is the
,Page 2 of 231
standard of care for evaluating suspected pneumonia and is readily available, cost-effective, and
provides immediate results. Bronchoscopy is invasive and not first-line. PFTs are not indicated in
acute infection. V/Q scan is used for pulmonary embolism.
**Why the other options are incorrect:**
- **A) Bronchoscopy with biopsy:** This is an invasive procedure reserved for cases where
malignancy or persistent infection is suspected after initial imaging and treatment. It is not the
first-line diagnostic tool for suspected pneumonia.
- **C) Pulmonary function test (PFT):** PFTs are used to evaluate chronic respiratory
conditions (e.g., COPD, asthma) and are not appropriate in the acute setting of a suspected
infection.
- **D) Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan:** This is used to evaluate for pulmonary embolism, not
pneumonia. It would not show consolidation or infiltrates.
---
### Question 2
During a patient interview, the patient reports smoking 1.5 packs of cigarettes per day for the
past 20 years. How should the respiratory therapist document this tobacco history?
A) 1.5 pack-years
B) 20 pack-years
C) 30 pack-years
D) 40 pack-years
**Correct Answer: C) 30 pack-years**
**Rationale:** Pack-years are calculated by multiplying the number of packs smoked per day by
the number of years smoked. 1.5 packs/day × 20 years = 30 pack-years. This is the standard
,Page 3 of 231
method for quantifying cumulative tobacco exposure and assessing risk for lung disease .
Accurate documentation of tobacco history is essential for risk stratification and treatment
planning.
**Why the other options are incorrect:**
- **A) 1.5 pack-years:** This would represent 1.5 packs per day for one year, not 20 years.
- **B) 20 pack-years:** This would represent 1 pack per day for 20 years, not accounting for the
1.5 packs/day reported.
- **D) 40 pack-years:** This would be calculated from 2 packs/day for 20 years.
---
### Question 3
Which breath sound is characterized by high-pitched, musical, continuous sounds heard
primarily during expiration?
A) Crackles
B) Rhonchi
C) Wheezes
D) Stridor
**Correct Answer: C) Wheezes**
**Rationale:** Wheezes are high-pitched, musical, continuous sounds produced by airflow
through narrowed airways, most prominent during expiration. They are characteristic of asthma
and COPD . Crackles are discontinuous, popping sounds. Rhonchi are low-pitched, snoring
sounds. Stridor is a high-pitched inspiratory sound indicating upper airway obstruction.
, Page 4 of 231
**Why the other options are incorrect:**
- **A) Crackles:** Crackles (rales) are discontinuous, popping sounds heard primarily during
inspiration, often associated with pulmonary edema or pneumonia.
- **B) Rhonchi:** Rhonchi are low-pitched, continuous, snoring or gurgling sounds often
clearing with cough, indicating secretions in large airways.
- **D) Stridor:** Stridor is a high-pitched, monophonic sound heard during inspiration,
indicating upper airway obstruction (e.g., croup, epiglottitis).
---
### Question 4
A respiratory therapist is assessing a patient with suspected pulmonary embolism. Which of the
following findings is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Increased breath sounds
B) Normal SpO₂ and chest X-ray
C) Decreased breath sounds and hyperresonance
D) Pleural friction rub and crackles
**Correct Answer: B) Normal SpO₂ and chest X-ray**
**Rationale:** Patients with pulmonary embolism may have normal SpO₂ and a normal chest X-
ray initially. The classic presentation includes acute dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and
tachycardia. A normal CXR does not rule out PE, as the diagnosis requires CT angiography or
V/Q scan. Hypoxemia may be present but is not universal .
**Why the other options are incorrect:**
THERAPIST MULTIPLE CHOICE FORMS A
& B EXAM
2026-2027 ACADEMIC YEAR | 260+
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
itsjereguides
# SECTION 1: PATIENT ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION
## Questions 1-40
### Question 1
A respiratory therapist is assessing a patient who presents with a productive cough, fever, and
crackles in the right lower lobe. Which of the following should the therapist recommend as the
next diagnostic step?
A) Bronchoscopy with biopsy
B) Chest radiograph (CXR)
C) Pulmonary function test (PFT)
D) Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan
**Correct Answer: B) Chest radiograph (CXR)**
**Rationale:** The patient's symptoms (productive cough, fever, crackles) suggest possible
pneumonia. A chest radiograph is the most appropriate initial diagnostic step to identify
infiltrates, consolidation, or other abnormalities characteristic of pneumonia . CXR is the
,Page 2 of 231
standard of care for evaluating suspected pneumonia and is readily available, cost-effective, and
provides immediate results. Bronchoscopy is invasive and not first-line. PFTs are not indicated in
acute infection. V/Q scan is used for pulmonary embolism.
**Why the other options are incorrect:**
- **A) Bronchoscopy with biopsy:** This is an invasive procedure reserved for cases where
malignancy or persistent infection is suspected after initial imaging and treatment. It is not the
first-line diagnostic tool for suspected pneumonia.
- **C) Pulmonary function test (PFT):** PFTs are used to evaluate chronic respiratory
conditions (e.g., COPD, asthma) and are not appropriate in the acute setting of a suspected
infection.
- **D) Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scan:** This is used to evaluate for pulmonary embolism, not
pneumonia. It would not show consolidation or infiltrates.
---
### Question 2
During a patient interview, the patient reports smoking 1.5 packs of cigarettes per day for the
past 20 years. How should the respiratory therapist document this tobacco history?
A) 1.5 pack-years
B) 20 pack-years
C) 30 pack-years
D) 40 pack-years
**Correct Answer: C) 30 pack-years**
**Rationale:** Pack-years are calculated by multiplying the number of packs smoked per day by
the number of years smoked. 1.5 packs/day × 20 years = 30 pack-years. This is the standard
,Page 3 of 231
method for quantifying cumulative tobacco exposure and assessing risk for lung disease .
Accurate documentation of tobacco history is essential for risk stratification and treatment
planning.
**Why the other options are incorrect:**
- **A) 1.5 pack-years:** This would represent 1.5 packs per day for one year, not 20 years.
- **B) 20 pack-years:** This would represent 1 pack per day for 20 years, not accounting for the
1.5 packs/day reported.
- **D) 40 pack-years:** This would be calculated from 2 packs/day for 20 years.
---
### Question 3
Which breath sound is characterized by high-pitched, musical, continuous sounds heard
primarily during expiration?
A) Crackles
B) Rhonchi
C) Wheezes
D) Stridor
**Correct Answer: C) Wheezes**
**Rationale:** Wheezes are high-pitched, musical, continuous sounds produced by airflow
through narrowed airways, most prominent during expiration. They are characteristic of asthma
and COPD . Crackles are discontinuous, popping sounds. Rhonchi are low-pitched, snoring
sounds. Stridor is a high-pitched inspiratory sound indicating upper airway obstruction.
, Page 4 of 231
**Why the other options are incorrect:**
- **A) Crackles:** Crackles (rales) are discontinuous, popping sounds heard primarily during
inspiration, often associated with pulmonary edema or pneumonia.
- **B) Rhonchi:** Rhonchi are low-pitched, continuous, snoring or gurgling sounds often
clearing with cough, indicating secretions in large airways.
- **D) Stridor:** Stridor is a high-pitched, monophonic sound heard during inspiration,
indicating upper airway obstruction (e.g., croup, epiglottitis).
---
### Question 4
A respiratory therapist is assessing a patient with suspected pulmonary embolism. Which of the
following findings is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Increased breath sounds
B) Normal SpO₂ and chest X-ray
C) Decreased breath sounds and hyperresonance
D) Pleural friction rub and crackles
**Correct Answer: B) Normal SpO₂ and chest X-ray**
**Rationale:** Patients with pulmonary embolism may have normal SpO₂ and a normal chest X-
ray initially. The classic presentation includes acute dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and
tachycardia. A normal CXR does not rule out PE, as the diagnosis requires CT angiography or
V/Q scan. Hypoxemia may be present but is not universal .
**Why the other options are incorrect:**
